Beaver Island Michigan

The Beaver Island Ice Classic contest started today with the placing of the tower on the ice just to the East of the Beaver Island Marina docks. The object of the contest is to guess the day, hour and minute the tower tips over when the ice melts. This is the third year of the contest. Last year the tower went in a 2:52 PM on March 28th and the winner collected over $1,200. In 2006 the tower went in at 8:29 PM on March 29th and the winner collected over $600.

Tickets are available at McDonoughâ??s or from any Preservation Association board member, they are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00. If you live off the island and would like to participate e-mail b_tidmore@hotmail.com (please put Beaver Island in the mail subject heading) for instructions on how to get tickets.

The total sales are approximately $2,000 so the winner will collect close to $1,000. Guesses in this years contest range from the middle of March to the first of May. Lots of ice left but it's turning black.

Bob Tidmore

The ice blew out last night and the tower went into the water at 11:34 PM. Who won? We wonâ??t know until the library opens as the tickets stubs are stored under the watchful eyes of our Beaver Island library staff. As soon as we know Iâ??ll post it on this site.

How does it work?

There are four tilt switches on the tower mounted at 90 degrees wired to relays on shore. When it tips over a tilt switch will close and trip a relay cutting off power to the clock. Another relay also trips and prevents the clock from restarting.

Kathy Speck with a guess 3 hours and 24 minutes after the tower went down.

Second was Tony Connaghan who's time was 4 hours and 4 minutes before it went in.

Thanks to all those who participated in this years contest.

(Latest guess was the 16th of May)